Ok guys, this is a post that I didn’t really want to do, but felt it was my only option. When I decided to self publish my book I wanted to do it right. The only way to do a good job was to get it edited. I chose someone I met on Twitter (yes I know not everyone on Twitter can be trusted). Jessica Hollis Brown, whose Twitter tag is @jbrowncr seemed nice and friendly. I sent her the first chapter, which she edited and sent back. It seemed ok.

We agreed she would edit my book. This was in December 2011. Before she did any more work she requested 50% of the money upfront, which is perfectly normal. What isn’t normal, is that after I paid the $400 I didn’t receive any more of my edited manuscript. As time went by I emailed and it usually took 3 of my emails to get one back. Then the excuses started: from “my computer cord broke” to “my husband had an epileptic fit” to an email from her ‘husband’ which told me she was in hospital with pneumonia, even the fact that she had to travel out of town to attend a friend’s funeral. I don’t know if I’m naïve, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

By March I was sick of it so I told her she had one week to send me the manuscript or I was cancelling our agreement and wanted my money back. Of course I haven’t seen the manuscript or one cent of my money. She offered to pay it off in installments, about a month ago, but nothing has come through. I sent her an email over a week ago, telling her the only option I had left was to tell everyone about my experience. I haven’t heard back from her, surprise, surprise.

So this is just to let you know my experience. I am very disappointed and $400 poorer, money I can ill afford to lose. But I guess some people are dishonest and I was unlucky enough to find one of them. So just a warning, because there’s nothing else I can do. Paypal cannot get my money back and because I didn’t pay with credit card the bank can’t help. I’ll be more careful next time, but that’s little consolation now. Her website is http://jessiebincr.wordpress.com/category/creativity/ and she is on Facebook.

Sorry to be a Negative Nelly but I want to make sure I save someone else the trauma of losing so much money. If Jessica wants to pay me back, I will gladly take this post down, but until then, it stays.

UPDATE 25th July, 2014: She is active again as Jessica A Hollis. Authors, beware. This is her Facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/jhollismomo4/about. She may end up making it private when she finds out about this, but as long as everyone is wary of her, my job is done.

This sounds terrible, Dionne. Sorry to hear you’ve had a rough time with this so-called *editor* Jessica Hollis Brown. And I also hate that feeling of having no choice but to write such a post. I hope she refunds your money. A shame about the waste of time and energy!

Thanks Melinda 🙂 I really hate bad-mouthing someone but I’ve tried all the legal avenues and since she lives in Costa Rica and I live in Australia it’s pretty much impossible to get my money back. I didn’t want to stay quiet because I don’t want it to happen to anyone else.

No good at all – bad news indeed. So much of it going on out there. I moved into a flat in London years ago and the phone number had not been changed, I got a girl on the phone who had paid a cash deposit of 500 pounds to the previous tennant, so she was very upset to find someone else had moved in. I gave her the estate agents number, but not a lot anyone could do. Some nasty scammy people out there! Is there not an official ‘body’ for editors that you can contact, who might have a list of genuine people who can help you?

What an utterly crap thing to do. I’m so sorry for you. I look at all the so-called “experts” on Twitter, see how much they are charging and then think twice – try out the Alliance of Independant Authors – they all write and have a list of approved editors etc; Thanks so much for the warning

This is a rare occurrence, thank goodness, but I’m so sorry it happened to any writer.
FWIW, Jessica Hollis[-]Brown does not appear to be a current member of the EFA, as she apparently has claimed to be.
There is a Writer Beware website where people can report unscrupulous, unethical or dishonest people and companies in the publishing field:http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/

I am very sorry to hear about this. If so many misfortunes had occurred in my life, preventing me from finishing a job for a client, I’d be bending over backwards to communicate and arrange something. I would encourage any author to check credentials beyond just the editor’s website — do they have recommendations, a list of published works, a professional affiliation such as the EFA, SfEP, or each Australian state’s Society of Editors? Some sort of contract — even if it’s in an e-mail — laying out provisions for termination of the project and reimbursement or nonrefundability of prior payments protects both parties.

In my experience, the vast majority of editors (and authors, for that matter) are not scammers and are trustworthy.

Thanks Kristine. She claimed to be a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and I should have checked because she wasn’t. I didn’t do my homework properly and just want everyone to do theirs. There are many wonderful, legitimate editors out there and I would rather the writers found them 🙂

Thanks Shaunda. I’ve met a lot of people since my unfortunate incident, and I’ve had lots of recommendations, which is great! I’ll keep you in mind next time though and maybe others reading this can take note too 🙂 It’s so great of you to leave a comment, thanks!

Hi Dionne,
I’m sorry to hear you lost your money and valuable time. Thank you for posting this – it was the right thing to do. It may prevent someone else from becoming her next ‘mark’. I hope you are successful in retrieving your money. Either legally or with the hope she does the right thing. Good luck to you! Thanks again for the clear warning.

Sorry to hear about your horrid experience. Did you get a contract? You can take the matter to court although at this stage, not sure if you want the hassle. The silver lining is the good warning that you are spreading for other writers. Listen well folks!!

Dionne, I am actually that husband who allegedly wrote to you, which I can assure you never happened. I was completely unaware that Jessica had ever done that, and reading your post was a shock to me. Jessica and I are separated and I am seeking a divorce. Her dishonesty was infecting every aspect of her life, and has continued to get worse by the day. I am actually offended that she used my name in the course of her lies. In any case, I am very sorry that this happened to you, and if there is any way I can help to make the situation right, including paying you back, please let me know.

Wow Jason, I’m in shock! I never expected to hear from anyone about this after so long. I’m sorry you are going through a divorce and I appreciate you getting in touch. I would absolutely love my money back! I’ll email you on the one that’s come up with this message. Thanks again.

Dionne, when Jessica and I separated, she took everything, including my computer, so I am unable to write anymore. I recently started a new job, and I am just getting back on my feet, so I do not have $400 to send right now, but I will definitely work something out with you. Email me and we can communicate. I’m very sorry that Jessica did this to you, and I would like to help make the situation right. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Unbelievable! I have a podcast coming up on the 31st that I’d like to invite you to. Can you send me an email at letteschatnow@gmail.com there are a couple of things I’d like to discuss with you if possible.

Reblogged this on katsindiebookblog and commented:
So I am re-blogging this because I know a lot of Indie Authors out there and its better to be forewarned 🙂 always ask for contact details from other satisfied authors of an editors previous work. If you have read an indie authors book you will normally see the editor and even Formattor mentioned sometimes – if the book you read looks great, has no errors and flows well then contact them and get a quote for your book.
Kat

Great advice! I ended up doing a follow-up blog at the time on how to find a good editor and the biggest thing is referrals from other authors you trust. I learned the hard way, but I don’t want anyone else to, so thank you so much for sharing, Kat :).

So sorry about this! I’m an editor, and this was posted in my FB editors’ lounge this morning. I am really bothered by what’s happened to you. I know I post testimonials on my website with links to my authors’ sites, and any author interested in my services can chat with any writers I’ve worked with. As an author, you need to have complete confidence in your editor. Be assured, there are editors dedicated to the success of the authors they edit for. And who meet or beat deadlines!

Hi Dori. Thanks for the info as that’s great advice. I was very green at the time (this happened in 2011 when I was first looking at self-publishing) and since then I’ve studied and become an editor and I was also recommended an awesome editor as well. My first piece of advice to people now is to make sure you get referrals from other authors for editors.

I’m so sorry this happened. I had a similar experience but not quite so expensive. Jessica Porter of Crossroad Reviews was going to put me on a live video reader chat. I needed to send her (autographed) paper copies of my books so she could read my work and have copies as gifts to the readers. It sounded like a good deal though the books (4) were out of my pocket. She received them then kept changing the date for the live chat. She stopped responding to my emails, PM, posted FB messages and the like. I canceled but never got my books back. I’ve warned people off from here but she is still out there with a FB page and everything.

That’s terrible too, Holly. Why are some people such drains on society? (I’m being polite. I would like to swear at this point, but I try not to on my blog lol). I’m sorry you had such a negative experience too.

Yes, I actually contacted them at the time and gave them the details but they hadn’t heard of her from anyone else and so couldn’t put her name on their site. They need 2 or more complaints before they’ll do that.

Hi Jordan. Wow that’s a coincidence if it’s not her, but she has been online over the last 2 years and I would imagine she would be in jail if the above articles were about her. Not sure if they are allowed internet access in jail. They very well might be. I still haven’t seen any money, and I guess I never will. Thanks for posting :).